In the late 1920s, Western Electric and Michigan Bell shared a building on Detroit's east side, where Western Electric stored and distributed equipment, and Michigan Bell housed and serviced their vehicles.

[3] That building proved too small,[3] so in 1929–30, the two companies built this structure to serve as a warehouse, garage, and office space for both.

This translucent white plastic sign, modeled after the Western Electric model 500 desk telephone, was backlit with lights of different colors, providing a basic weather forecast to motorists on the Lodge Freeway at night.

[6] The Michigan Bell and Western Electric Warehouse consists of a number of rectangular masses laid out in an irregular footprint.

Each bay is separated with brick piers, and contains a grouping of three double-hung four-over-four windows with limestone sills.

The doors are located within a 2+1⁄2-story arched opening, with the surround faced in limestone with Art Deco relief in the keystone.

The garages and warehouse are open spaces with concrete floors and walls and exposed ceiling trusses.

The eleventh and twelfth floors of the tower are a single open space containing two large water tanks.